The Eagles want so badly to beat the Giants this week, they’re willing to take a $3 million gamble by playing oft-injured QB Michael Vick to do so. According to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly, the Eagles stand to lose that much if Vick gets hurt in tomorrow’s game and can’t catch on with a new team in 2013….

If Vick wants to be employed next year, first and foremost he needs to be healthy. The Eagles almost certainly will release him before they have to pay a dime of his $15.5 million 2013 salary.

The Eagles also have money to lose if Vick is seriously injured in the final game. Because of an injury clause in Vick’s contract, the team is on the hook for up to $3 million of Vick’s base salary next year if the quarterback can’t find another team to sign him. Any contract Vick would earn next year that called for less than $3 million because of an injury, the Eagles would owe the rest.

The Eagles are starting Vick because rookie Nick Foles broke his hand last week against Washington. The other QB on the roster is veteran Trent Edwards, who started 32 games in the NFL for Buffalo and Jacksonville between 2007-10.